New Genus New Species B

Introduction

Two mature males were taken from the stomach of the fish Alepisaurus ferox. Nevertheless, the small squid (22 mm ML) are in good condition, but many of the arm suckers were missing, and the viscera had some deterioration due to fixation in alcohol.

Brief diagnosis:

A member of New Subfamily with ...

• Multiple (3-6) series of suckers distally on all arms.
• Transition from double to multiple sucker series gradual.
  

Characteristics

1. Arms
   1. Proximal sucker distinctly largest on all arms.
      
   2. Suckers biserial proximally (5-10 suckers on each arm), multiple (3-6) series of suckers distally. Arms IV appear to reach 5-6 series near tips, 5 series on arm III, 3 or 4 series on arm I and about 4 series on arm II.
   3. Transition gradual to smaller suckers and more numerous series gradual, smaller and arranged in 4 or more series distally;
   

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   Figure. Oral view of arms I-IV of New Species B. Arm IV is on the right in the photograph. Photograph by R. Young.
2. Mantle
   1. Fusion between mantle and head in nuchal region narrow but distinctly broader than in species A.
      
   

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   Figure. Dorsal view of the nuchal fusion in New Species B. Arrows mark the width of the fusion. Photograph by R. Young.
3. Viscera
   1. Anus located anteriorly in mantle cavity at posterior margin of ventral funnel wall.
   

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   Figure. Ventral  view of the mantle cavity of New Species B showing the position of the anus (left arrow) and the weak median mantle adductor muscle (right arrow). Part of the right gill was removed for examination. Photograph by R. Young.

Comments

More details of the description of New Species B can be found here.

Species boundaries cannot be reliably drawn with so few specimens. However, in addition to the characters listed above, species B seems to differ from species A in its much larger size, differences in chromatophore distribution (e.g., nuchal fusion, ventral head, fins), the more anterior position of the fins and, possibly, differences in the funnel valve.

Distribution

Both specimens of New Species B were taken from the stomachs of Alepisaurus ferox captured within the EEZ of New Caledonia on Jan. 27, 2004 at 22°29'S, 166°15'W (Samples: Palinstru03/11/2 and Palinstru03/11/1).